Abstract

In a previous study attention was called to the syndrome of dorsal spine radiculitis with attacks of substernal and precordial pain simulating coronary occlusion.1 It was shown that such attacks were frequently accompanied by a peculiar respiratory distress described most often as an inability to take a deep breath. This discomfort was noted not only during severe paroxysms of pain, but at times after chest pain had abated or ceased. In several instances, it could be induced together with chest pain by the application of pressure over the dorsal vertebrae, and a few patients found it more distressing than the